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WCU Breaks Ground for New Business School Building

Hattiesburg, Miss., July 19, 2013 - William Carey University officials are proud to announce that the long awaited dream for a new School of Business building will finally be a reality. WCU officials, faculty, staff, students, and friends gathered on Friday, July 19, to break ground on the new building, a 20,574-square-foot facility that will sit on Tuscan Avenue across from the William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine complex.

“The School of Business faculty and staff are excited about this new building and the opportunities for our students,” said Dr. Cheryl Dale, dean of the School of Business. “Students will have an outstanding facility to learn and mature into business leaders, and this new facility will also allow us to grow in terms of the numbers of students and the number of programs that we offer.”

The new building, which will cost just under $3 million, will include state-of-the-art multi-media, two lecture halls on the first floor, and five classrooms and a computer lab on the second floor. The lobby will feature a grand staircase and an 8-foot European crystal chandelier that was given as a gift by a donor. Kevin Lewis of Landry and Lewis Architects, PA, developed the project design for the new building and Mac’s Construction will carry out the plans. The building will be completed by Fall 2014.

During the groundbreaking ceremony, Dr. Tommy King, president of WCU, gave a welcome and recognized those whose contributions have made the building project possible. Dr. Mike Madaris, assistant professor of business administration, gave the invocation, and Dr. Dale made remarks on the significance of the new business building. After the official turning of the ground, Dr. Scott Hummel, provost, gave a prayer for guidance and blessing on the project.

“It’s finally here,” said Dr. Dale. “When Dr. King mentioned a new School of Business building a couple of years ago, I never dreamed that construction would begin so soon. In my 16 years at WCU, I have seen many changes in the School of Business, but this is the biggest and in my opinion, one of the best changes. We appreciate the support of the university administration, alumni, and friends who made this significant event happen,” said Dr. Dale.

(left to right) Pictured are Hal McMahan, vice president at Mac's Construction Company, Inc.; Kevin Lewis, architect with Landry and Lewis Architects, PA; Dr. Cheryl Dale, dean of the School of Business at William Carey University; Dr. Tommy King, president of WCU; Lewis Myrick, Sr., WCU Board of Trustees; Joan Warren, WCU Board of Trustees; Joselyne Niyonshuti, business student at WCU, and Dr. Scott Hummel, provost at WCU, turning the ground for the new business building on Friday, July 19.